People take to the streets for day two of Spring Fling

Saturday

May 4, 2013 at 11:14 PM

Debbie Riddle was a little nervous strapped into a harness atop a tower overlooking Broad Street.

By Drew Brooksdrew.brooks@shj.com

Debbie Riddle was a little nervous strapped into a harness atop a tower overlooking Broad Street.But the fear of that first step didn't hold her back for long -- Riddle, 58, of Boiling Springs, let out a loud “woo” as she soared down the street on a zip line.“That was awesome,” she repeated as she walked back from her ride. “That was fantastic.”Riddle was one of thousands that attend the second day of Spartanburg's annual downtown Spring Fling.But like many, her day was cut short by sporadic showers and what became a near constant drizzle for the evening.The expectation of bad weather did little to hamper the fun at the festival midday. But by the evening hours, several vendors were packing up their wares, as crowds thinned and those that remained sported ponchos and umbrellas.Truman Adams, a sidewalk chalk artist whose 3-D art of a rocket ship and portrait of two people wading in water, just finished before most of the showers began.Adams, who travelled from Sarasota, Fla., said he just so happened to have latex chalk in his supplies because his next commission, in Swansea, Ga., is expected to be semi-permanent.Because of the weather, Adams used the latex supplies for his art, making it effectively waterproof, he said. The drawings will remain on the street near Morgan Square until it is pressure washed. “It's something the rain is not going to get rid of,” he said.Adams said the art is meant to create a 3-D experience that passersby can capture in a photograph – if they stand in the right spot.“You stand in the 3-D spot and then you can see the illusion,” said the artist, whose been creating 3-D art with chalk for four years.Despite the weather, thousands gathered downtown for the rides, craft booths, food, music and other attractions.They were joined downtown by a large contingent of Spartanburg Public Safety officers.Lt. Tim Suber, special events coordinator for the department, said there were no major public safety issues to report after the first two days.“The crowd's been great,” Suber said, “even with the bad weather and the suspected bad weather.”Back at the zip line, Riddle was part of a steady stream of people who climbed the stairs of a metal tower before spending a few quick seconds zipping down to the street below.“This has been on my bucket list,” she explained. “I have passed it up at two other places – Myrtle Beach and Panama City, Fla. – I had to do it this time and it was awesome.”“I just can't wait to call my mother and my daughter,” she added. “I'd do it again if it wasn't for the rain.”James Parks, who helped Riddle and countless others off the ride, said fear and hesitation was normal for the tower, but it's a different story on the way down.“Their face changes about five feet in,” Parks said. “I get all smiles down here. They're all scared until they take that first step.”